Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth Group's $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys

Date:

Share post:


NEW YORK — The Justice Department is suing to block UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys, citing concerns the combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S.

The antitrust complaint was filed in Maryland federal court Tuesday. In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the government is challenging UnitedHealth and Amedisys’ proposed merger because “patients and their families experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives deserve affordable, high quality care options.”

The suit follows UnitedHealth’s acquisition of LHC Group Inc., another home health and hospice provider. Since that transaction’s completion last year, the Justice Department said, UnitedHealth and Amedisys have emerged as the two largest providers of home health and hospice care in the country.

The department argues that eliminating competition between UnitedHealth and Amedisys “would harm patients who receive home health and hospice services, insurers who contract for home health services, and nurses who provide home health and hospice services.”

Four states’ attorneys general — from Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and New York — are joining the Justice Department in the antitrust complaint.

UnitedHealth is seeking to add Amedisys to Optum, its subsidiary that provides care as well as pharmacy and technology services. Optum said Tuesday the acquisition “would be pro-competitive and further innovation.” It said it plans to “vigorously defend (itself) against the DOJ’s overreaching interpretation of the antitrust laws.”

Louisiana-based Amedisys added that it also remains committed to the deal, which it believes “will create more opportunities to deliver quality, compassionate and value-based care to patients and their families.”

Beyond its Optum unit, UnitedHealth Group also runs one of the nation’s largest health insurers, UnitedHealthcare. Last month, the Minnesota-based healthcare giant reported third-quarter net income of $6.06 billion on revenue of $100.82 billion.



Source link

Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden is a news writer for LinkDaddy News. She writes health, sport, tech, and more. Some of her favorite topics include the latest trends in fitness and wellness, the best ways to use technology to improve your life, and the latest developments in medical research.

Recent posts

Related articles

Thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain -- Thousands of Spaniards rallied in downtown Barcelona on Saturday to protest the skyrocketing cost...

Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight

Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in...

Moody's credit rating upgrade for Cyprus opens the door to investment, president says

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Moody’s two-notch upgrade of Cyprus' credit rating to A3 from Baa2 opens the threshold...

Hydrate. Make lists. Leave yourself time. And other tips for reducing holiday travel stress

Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems...

Negotiators work through the night at UN climate talks to try to reach a cash deal for poor nations

BAKU, Azerbaijan -- The United Nations' annual climate talks pushed into overtime Saturday under a cloud of...

What to know about Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's pick for labor secretary

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead...

Trump nominates Marty Makary, a critic of some COVID-19 health measures, to lead the FDA

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Donald Trump on Friday nominated Dr. Marty Makary to lead the Food and Drug...

What to know about Scott Bessent, Trump's pick for treasury secretary

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen money manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for...